Alexander Buchanan – South Australian Supreme Court Judge

The first part of this article is sourced from "MR. ALEXANDER BUCHANAN DEAD." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889-1931) 13 Jan 1930.

MR. ALEXANDER BUCHANAN DEAD

FORMER SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JUDGE EIGHTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE

Mr. Alexander Buchanan, former judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia, died on Saturday at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. George Ashwin Yuill, Cremorne-road, Cremorne, Sydney. Mr. Buchanan, after his retirement, from the bench in December, 1920, lived in Sydney for a number of years, and at his death was in his eighty-second year. He was the eldest son of Mr. Alexander Buchanan, and was born at Anlaby, near Kapunda, in 1848. His father was one of the early colonists, having arrived in South Australia in 1839. For some years Mr. Buchanan conducted an extensive auctioneering and stockbroking business in conjunction with Mr. John W. Gleeson, of Clare, and it was not until 1879, when 31 years of age, that Mr. Buchanan applied himself to the study of the law. He had received his education at St. Peter's College, Adelaide, and also at Hofwyl, Switzerland, and Glasgow University. He was admitted to the bar in 1884, and shortly afterwards entered the office of the Hon. Charles Mann, then Crown Solicitor, with whom he remained associated, afterwards in partnership, until Mr. Mann's death. Champion of Public Servants Entering the Civil Service in August, 1891, Mr. Buchanan was appointed a special magistrate for the State and stipendiary magistrate at Fort Adelaide. In the following month the office of Master of the Supreme Court became vacant, and the Government appointed him to the position. Among the duties he discharged while Master of the Supreme Court were those of Registrar of Probates, Registrar of Companies, Trade Unions, Industrial and Provident Societies, Registrar in Admiralty, Registrar of the State Board of Conciliation, and District Registrar of the High Court. For two years he was president of the Public Service Association, and was one of the originators and the first chairman of the South Australian Public Service Provident Fund, which was established in 1893. As a result of the abolition in 1881 of the retiring allowances, Mr. Buchanan devoted much attention to the matter of superannuation for public servants. He took a prominent part in the establishment of the Public Service Superannuation Fund in 1902, the Bill providing for its inception being drawn up by him. For many years he was chairman of the board of management of that fund. Appointed to Bench In October, 1911, Mr. Buchanan, then Master of the Supreme Court, was appointed acting judge, and he continued to act in that capacity until February, 1913. In the following month he accepted the office of temporary judge, relinquishing that position in December, 1915, to become puisne judge in January, 1916. He held that office until his retirement at the end of 1920. In addition, from December, 1912, until his appointment as puisne judge, he presided in the Industrial Court. His unfailing courtesy, natural ability, legal acumen, firmness and impartiality, earned him the respect and admiration of all with whom he came in contact. His wife died some years ago. Four of his sons served in the war, these being Mr. Alexander Buchanan (6th Australian Motor Transport Company), Mr. R. Keith Buchanan (40th Battalion and 5th Australian Motor Transport Company), Mr. John Buchanan (15th Australian Field Ambulance), and Mr. George Buchanan (10th Battalion and, 15th Australian Field Ambulance).

The following information in this article has been sourced from a wide range of on-line public domain sources including Birth, Death and Marriage records; historic newspapers; electoral rolls; national and state archives; the ubiquitous Google search; etc. I am confident that I’m 80% accurate however if you find an error please accept my apology and I welcome correction and feedback.